Rose Queen (or Apple Queen, Cotton Queen or Harvest Queen) is a local or regional tradition associated with
Whitsun
Whitsun (also Whitsunday or Whit Sunday) is the name used in Britain, and other countries among Anglicans and Methodists, for the Christian holy day of Pentecost. It falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter and commemorates the descent of the H ...
processions or June festivals and
fête
In the United Kingdom and some of its former colonies, a fête or fete is a public festival organised to raise money for a charity, typically held outdoors. It generally includes entertainment and the sale of goods and refreshments. Fetes are ty ...
s similar to
May Queen
In the British Isles and parts of the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth, the May Queen or Queen of May is a personification of the May Day holiday of 1 May, and of Spring (season), springtime and the coming growing season. The May Queen is a ...
. Annual civic honorific titles are bestowed by local election to particular individuals, typically local young women.
History
It is a late Victorian invention originating from
North West England
North West England is one of nine official regions of England and consists of the ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. The North West had a population of 7,4 ...
. In the UK it has taken place in Cheshire, Lancashire, Northwich, and Llandudno. In 1928 it was moved to
Alexandra Rose Day.
In the 20th-century it expanded to
Nanterre
Nanterre (; ) is the prefecture of the Hauts-de-Seine department in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located some northwest of the centre of Paris. In 2018, the commune had a population of 96,807.
The eastern part of Nanterre, b ...
near Paris.
In America, the Rose Queen has been crowned in New York, West Virginia, and
Texas Rose Festival.
Today
Popularity of the tradition has decreased over the years. Present day
Queen of the Rose Parade is crowned at the annual
Rose Parade
The Rose Parade, also known as the Tournament of Roses Parade (or simply the Tournament of Roses), is an annual parade held mostly along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, United States, on New Year's Day (or on Monday, January 2 if New ...
, Pasadena, California, which remains a major event.
Popular saga author
Katie Flynn has written a book titled ''The Rose Queen'' with the main characters as subjects of the tradition.
See also
*
Milk Queen
*
Rose of Tralee an international pageant
*
Walking day
Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestrial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined as an "inverted pendulum" gait in which the body vaults over ...
*
English rose (epithet)
English rose is a description, associated with English culture, that may be applied to a naturally beautiful woman or girl who is from or is associated with England.
The description has a cultural reference to the national flower of England, t ...
References
{{reflist
Spring festivals
Holiday characters